First Time Here?

We wrote this for first time visitors to our restaurant. We hope it helps folks know what to expect.

A Linkery Primer

Thanks for visiting us in our little spot, we’re always happy to welcome new folks into our community. We do a lot of things differently than other restaurants. You may find it helpful or interesting to know a little bit about us up front.

1. From its beginning in the soil until it reaches your plate or your glass, everything you eat and drink is infused with the people who have shaped it. We call attention to these people by noting the farms and artisans who grow and craft what we serve.
2. We serve no commodity meat. All the meat we serve is from independent farmers and co-ops whose integrity and livelihood are tied to the animals they raise. Most of these farmers raise their animals outdoors, sustainably, using pre-industrial methods. We personally know most of our farmers and co-op leaders.
3. We change our menu daily based on seasons, availability, and our whim. The right hand column (“Artisinals” and “Market Selections”) changes a lot. The center column (“Greenery” and “Grub”) is more stable.
4. If you order a picnic plate, choucroute, sausage tacos, or a burger – or if you add a link to any of your dishes – pick which sausage you want from the list of house made links at the menu’s lower right corner.
5. Food, like everything else in the world, is subject to the forces of time, weather, nature, and people. Our food, most of which is independently raised and crafted on a small scale, varies more than mainstream food. Enjoy the deltas.
6. Drinks are on the back of the menu. We offer an extensive list of beer and wine made by true artisans, many of them local or regional. Most of us here know these drinks pretty well. If you’re unfamiliar with them, ask one of us to help find you something you’ll like.
7. We seat on a first-come basis (that means we don’t take reservations), and we seat only when a complete party is present at the restaurant. When all our tables are full, or if your whole party isn’t here yet, we put your name on the chalkboard, which serves as a waiting list.
8. Seating at the bar and the small cocktail tables in the bar are open to whoever takes them. The bar is open to all ages, and we’re happy to serve food there.
9. We charge an 18% fee for table service (i.e., dining-in). We don’t accept tips. We find this appropriate for professionals in any industry including hospitality.
10. Like all restaurants – and all businesses – we’re just a group of people working together. We take pride in what we do. If there’s something you’d like, or something that’s not right, let us know and we’ll address it.
11. We keep a blog about where food comes from. It’s at thelinkery.com/blog.
12. We send out an email, more or less weekly, to interested members of our community. Sign up for it online at thelinkery.com/signup.html or by filling out the KIT card we leave with you after you’re finished with your meal.

The Linkery is at 3382 30th Street, just south of Upas in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego. Our house phone is 619 255 8778. Email us at jay@thelinkery.com. The idea for this orientation is courtesy Seth Godin, a smart guy who keeps a useful website at sethgodin.typepad.com.